30-year Legislator Lewis Mcmurran Dies

NEWPORT NEWS — Lewis Archer McMurran Jr., a longtime state legislator remembered as a patriot and gentleman, died early Monday in his home after a long illness. He was 75.

McMurran was recalled by acquaintances for his unswerving devotion to city and state and 30 years as a delegate representing Newport News and the Democratic Party in the General Assembly.

He was credited with the creation of Jamestown Festival Park and the Yorktown Victory Center and with the establishment of Christopher Newport College. He was also instrumental in garnering support for construction of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, the new James River Bridge, and the Interstate 664 bridge-tunnel now under construction.

Newport News Del. Alan Diamonstein said McMurran devoted his entire life to making Virginia a better place to live.

"He could do more with numbers and figures on a scratch pad than anybody I've known in political life," Diamonstein said. "As a legislator, he could present an innocuous, little amendment that would end up reaping big benefits for Newport News. He was a great draftsman and the epitome of a Virginia legislator."

"For many years, Lewis McMurran was most powerful and respected, and he used his power wisely," said Thomas N. Downing, who represented the 1st District of Virginia in Con gress from 1959 to 1977. "He has a long list of accomplishments and numerous goals. These should be the monuments to his memory. I've lost a great friend."

"By any standard, Lewis McMurran was an outstanding Virginian and gave unselfishly of himself for good government and in support of a good cause," said former Gov. Mills Godwin.

Because of his courtly manner and love of all things English, friends and associates nicknamed McMurran "Lord Lewis" many years ago.

Devoted to history and English culture, he was responsible not only for the creation of Jamestown Festival Park but also for the 1957 celebration of the 350th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement that brought Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip to Jamestown for that event. The queen awarded him the Order of the British Empire in 1959.

Though McMurran was proud of those feats, the contribution he considered his most important was his role in promoting education.

He is credited with establishing CNC as a branch of The College of William and Mary in 1960 and later with helping to establish the Newport News college's independence.

In 1985, CNC named a building after him.

McMurran was born April 11, 1914, the eldest of six children. His father, a lawyer, died when Lewis was 16.

McMurran graduated from city schools and Washington and Lee University, after which he became a land developer and builder. He interrupted his career to volunteer for Navy duty in World War II. He received a Bronze Star.

In 1941, along with other businessmen, he founded Bank of Warwick, which later became part of Signet Bank. After the war he was part of a group that acquired the Peninsula's transit system, which they named Citizens Transit Co., which is now the publicly operated Pentran.

Recognizing the need for the Peninsula to diversify its economy by attracting new business and industry, McMurran worked to establish what is now the Peninsula Economic Development Council and was its chairman for a number of years.

McMurran's legislative career began in 1947 when he was elected to the newly created Newport News-Warwick seat in the General Assembly. He served 30 years, until he lost his seat in the primary to Robert Scott, who is now a state senator. For four years after he left office, McMurran served as Democratic liaison to Republican Gov. John Dalton.

"His many accomplishments are unequaled by anyone I have ever known," said Richard Bagley, chairman of the Virginia Department of World Trade and Hampton's representative to the General Assembly during much of McMurran's tenure there.

"Few people realize how much he did for Newport News and the state," particularly on bridge and bridge-tunnel projects, said Ted Morrison, a former Newport News delegate and now a member of the State Corporation Commission.

"Lewis McMurran's life is characterized by selfless and noble service to country, to state and community," said Lloyd U. Noland Jr., chairman of Noland Properties and former president and chairman of Noland Co. building supply company. "His amicable demeanor tended to mask a remarkable, keen intellect. He saw things long before most of us did. For many years, virtually every piece of important legislation from our legislature bore Lewis' imprint. We are better - far better - for his having been with us and much the poorer for his leaving."

McMurran's lifelong interests in history, music, drama and art were reflected in his chairmanship of the Jamestown Corp., which presented "The Common Glory," a symphonic drama, at an outdoor amphitheater on the campus of W&M in Williamsburg for many summers.